«Macau Casinos Account for 2013

The facts suggest that the year of 2013 was exceptionally generous to Macau casinos. A year earlier, in 2012, they reported a 14% increase. Although most experts expected a 12-15% increase, MOP 304 of 2012 was improved by 18.6% and reached 360.75m (which is US $45.2b) in 2013. In spite of the Chinese politicians’ readiness to finally combat corruption in the country and apply much stricter measures to stop ‘high-end’ casino operators from dominating the market, Macau casinos managed to defy all expectations anyway.

Macau casinos ended their year with a $4.2b take. Compare the data with that of December of 2012 and you will see the difference – 18.5% over what it was the previous year. That makes approximately $350m of October’s result monthly calculations, yet it also makes around 75% of the total $6.2b gained by Las Vegas Strip casinos throughout the year of 2012. Strip casino is expected to grow by some 4% in 2013. The final result is usually announced before February. This means that Macau casinos are already capable of making 7 times as much as it is earned by Vegas in a year. In 2012 the whole of American commercial casinos business gained only $37b which is about $1b less than what was earned by Macau during the same period of time.Macau casinos are planning on celebrating Lunar

New Year with their new as well as regular customers who are expected to flood gambling facilities. In 2014 there will be no new casinos hence the percentage of growth which is now fantastic might be less optimistic in the future. On the other hand, if infrastructure keeps developing at the rate it is currently progressing and changing, there will be far more visitors. For example, in November Macau was visited by 1.56m people – more than ever before in the past six years. Macau International Airport also witnessed a positive trend and reported that in 2013 there were 11% more flights (which is 5m comers).

Macau will keep gaining its popularity. On top of the existing casinos there will be the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom located on Hengqin Island, nearby Macau. This theme park will open its doors in January. The park will definitely attract a huge number of visitors – 1m-2m first year, as it has been estimated by analysts. Almost two thirds of them are likely to be adults, i.e. people fit enough to gamble. At the moment the money that is not allowed to cross the country’s border remains in the hands of junket operators.

Some experts predict that China’ plan to lift cash circulation restrictions might negatively influence Macau’s VIP market. Loosening the current money control will bring ‘premium mass’ sector to life and reduce the influence of VIP market. Cutting out the middleman will result in better conditions that are necessary for premium mass market casinos’ further growth. No doubt, such positive changes are likely to be willingly accepted by Macau gambling facilities.